As we observe general market comments and discuss future plans with our clients the team at Rare is acutely aware of a growing nervousness about the near term prospects for the UK economy and its effects on the nation's businesses.

These fears cannot, of course, be simply ignored. But it is all too easy to create a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Yes the economy is tougher than at any time for many years. For many managers this is a new experience. They weren't around running businesses last time the UK experienced anything resembling a recession. So coping with the effects will be a new challenge.

For sure, credit is tight and the various budget statements look gloomy.

But what should you do when faced with potentially slowing sales and dipping confidence levels? For some the answer is to retract: cut costs, cancel initiatives and ride out the storm. But when business growth is tougher to achieve, is it not the time to be brave and to maintain a focus on cust... Read more